Hamburg Airport is the first commercial airport in Germany to launch a test phase for a new “Gate Delivery” service.
Passengers can order snacks and drinks online to be delivered directly to their departure gate. Hamburg Airport is operating this service in cooperation with VAAIR Airport GmbH — the company that already operates Café Scoom and Pier2Bar at the airport. The test phase will initially run until mid-July 2018.
How it works
Passengers place their orders online at www.hamburg-airport.de/shop.
First, they choose the snacks and drinks they want. During the test phase, the range extends to snacks like baguettes and cinnamon pastries along with cold drinks such as water and cola.
Then they pay online via Paypal or credit card.
Registration is not necessary and the prices are the same as in the VAAIR cafés and bars, with no extra charges (e.g. for delivery).
The “Gate Delivery” staff, easily recognised in their red uniforms, bring the order to the departure gate that the passenger named within a specified 10-minute time window. The passenger may choose to receive the delivery immediately or at a predetermined time. Food and drinks are delivered to the passenger in a stable paper bag, ready to be enjoyed at the gate or carried on board.
During the test phase, “Gate Delivery” is available daily between 5am and 10am. If the test proves successful, a permanent all-day service is planned.
Lutz Deubel, Head of Center Management at Hamburg Airport:
‘Gate Delivery’ is an innovative extension to our digital service offering. The service has many advantages for our passengers, ranging from waiting time at the gate being saved to the reduced distance to be covered in the terminals.
The target group for ‘Gate Delivery’ is diverse, from business travellers without much time to families departing on holiday who would rather spend their time at the gate, enjoying the view over the apron. During the test phase we want to find out how well the service is received by our passengers.
N.B. Image credit: Hamburg Airport